Woman Denies Stealing $21,000 From Wyoming Man

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming woman pleaded not guilty to stealing more than $21,000 from a man diagnosed with dementia.

Elizabeth Lutz, of Cheyenne, pleaded not guilty to one count of exploiting a vulnerable adult Thursday in Laramie County District Court.

Lutz could face 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Lutz became the caretaker of Robert Laughlin sometime after his wife died in 2012.

The Cheyenne Police Department reviewed Laughlin's bank statements and found 57 questionable transactions, including 10 transactions from Walmart totaling $6,095, 44 transactions in which the customer received cash back totaling $1,980 and three transactions from Lutz's dentist totaling $13,026.